NRL Preview: Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm - Round 16

Since the demise of the Rams in 1998, the NRL has made only spasmodic appearances in Adelaide but the game’s presence in the South Australian capital will ramp up in coming years with the staging of a State of Origin match at the Adelaide Oval in 2020. The Sydney Roosters are also keen to extend their agreement with the South Australian Tourism Commission and South Australian Government to continue to take a game to Adelaide each season.

A SHORT HISTORY OF LEAGUE IN ADELAIDE

Rugby League first came to Adelaide in 1914 when a touring English outfit smashed a novice South Australian combination 101-0 on a suburban oval. Not surprisingly, the result did little to advance the code in the city and it wasn’t until World War II, through the relocation of troops from the eastern states that the game took a minor foothold. It took small steps for the next 50 years until the staging of a premiership game between St George and Balmain in 1991 stoked the fire.

(AAP)NRL fans in Adelaide will get to view one of the true blockbuster clashes in the league (AAP)

WATERSHED MOMENT

The 1991 game drew a curious turnout of 28,884 at the Adelaide Oval, an attendance that has never been topped in the City of Churches but provided encouragement for the NSWRL to return several times through the 1990s. The arrival of Super League in 1997 provided an opening for an Adelaide team, backed by News Limited, to join the 10-team competition and known as the Rams, the new club established a roster of players from the eastern states.

The Rams lasted only two seasons, finishing second last in 1997 and 17th (out of 20) when they competed in the first NRL competition in 1998. The Rams fell victim to the NRL’s charter to rationalise the competition from 20 teams down to 14 and were eliminated, along with the Gold Coast Chargers, at the end of the ’98 season.

FLICKERING FLAME

The NRL returned to Adelaide only a handful of times after the demise of the Rams, playing games at both the Adelaide Oval and Hindmarsh Stadium (now known as Coopers Stadium). The Melbourne Storm played in four of the five games, while the Panthers, Cowboys, Sharks, Bulldogs and Roosters also made the journey.

Joey's Tips: Round 16

WHAT’S AT STAKE TONIGHT

The winner of tonight’s clash will regain a place in the top four, at least temporarily, depending on the outcome of other games this weekend. The loser is likely to hold onto their place at six but could be joined there by the Sharks and Broncos if both win Round 16 matches.

THE INTEREST

Major interest in tonight’s game will centre on Cooper Cronk’s first appearance against the Melbourne Storm. Before joining the Roosters in 2018, the former Test and Origin star played 323 games for the Storm over 14 seasons (2004-17) and was a significant contributor to premiership successes by the club in 2012 and 2017. Cronk is under no illusions about what he faces from his old team-mates, telling reporters this week he expects that ‘they’ll smash me, I’ll get up, I’ll get smashed again’.

(AAP)Former Storm superstar Cooper Cronk will face his old teammates for the first time (AAP)

ROOSTERS IN FORM

Before last week’s representative break, the Roosters had strung together four successive wins including a last-up 32-6 demolition of second-placed Penrith. It was possibly their most complete performance of the season and resulted in bookmakers shortening their premiership odds to equal second with the Dragons, and narrowly behind favourites South Sydney.

STORM ALSO BUILDING

Their performances may not have been as convincing as the Roosters however the Storm are also building nicely as the run to the finals commences. Melbourne have won successively against the Cowboys, Broncos and Knights and this week will welcome back fullback Billy Slater, who has not played since the Round 11 clash against Manly.

(AAP)Blues Origin star Josh Addo-Carr will be one to watch for the reigning champs (AAP)

WINGMEN TO SHINE

An expected fast Adelaide Oval surface should suit Storm flyers Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu who boast two of the best try scoring strikerates in the NRL. Vunivalu has scored 53 tries from 60 NRL games while Addo-Carr has crossed for 43 tries from 50 games. Vunivalu has picked up five tries from four games against the Roosters while Addo-Carr has touched down 14 times from 14 games this season.

THE VERDICT

The absence of key forwards Jesse Bromwich, Dale Finucane and Sam Kasiano and doubts over the fitness of second-rower Felise Kaufusi could damage the Storm’s chances contest against a Roosters side who will be minus only the input of co-captain Boyd Cordner. Both sides boast outstanding quality and a host of current and former representative stars but the Roosters might hold the edge in fit troops. Roosters by 2.